Eat Your Way to Enlightenment – The Yoga Diet Decoded!

We’ve all seen those super lean yogi’s who look like they live on thin air with envy.

I started wondering how they actually control their diet and what do they eat and why?

We know that yoga is a philosophy for living not just a class we go to once a week, so let’s find out how this all works.

Understanding the Yoga Diet

The Yoga Diet prioritizes eating foods that give us good physical and mental and spiritual health.

The yogic way of eating focuses on natural, unprocessed foods that promote mind, body and spiritual health and aligns with yogic philosophy.

Sattvic, Rajasic, and Tamasic Foods

These are three categories that yogi’s use to classify their food.

Sattvic foods nourish the body and are considered pure, light, and essential in our spiritual growth. Some foods in this group are: fresh fruit and veggies, wholegrains, honey, milk, seeds and sprouts.

Rajasic foods are stimulating and excites us. Some examples of these are coffee, chocolate, fast food and spices.

Tamasic foods are heavy and dull, believed to slow down your spiritual progress. These foods include meat, alcohol, onion and garlic, fish and eggs.

Focus on fresh, whole foods

The yoga diet focuses on eating whole foods which seasonal, organic and fresh and are plant-based.

The ideal foods include fresh fruit and veggies, nuts and seeds, legumes.

These are considered as light energetically for healing and good healthy for our physical needs and mental also.

Moderation and mindfulness

Yogis use portion control to make sure the body stays in balance.

They also encourage us to eat with awareness, paying close attention to the flavours of food for our nourishment.

Avoid chemicals and processed foods

Eating the way of the yogi’s discourages any foods with stimulants, that are heavily processed, artificial or very spicy.

It’s well known that we’re exposed to excessive amounts of chemicals in our air, water and junk food.

We are particularly advised to avoid caffeine, alcohol and refined sugar as it disturbs the balance between the mind and body.

Fasting and detoxification

Fasting every now and then is a part of the yogic philosophy in life.

It’s considered as a way of purifying the body and mind and focusing on more connection with your inner self.

Why Yogi’s Choose This Diet

Energetic alignment

When yogi’s eat Sattvic foods this is seen to be the align the food we eat with our energy.

Those foods are used to help with positive energy, a clear mind and to promote spiritual growth.

Mind-body balance

It is ideal to have our mind and body working in harmony together.

Eating fresh, wholesome foods is best for our physical health, mental clarity, emotional stability and gives us an overall feeling of well being.

Spiritual connection

This is one of many reasons yogi’s eat such a healthy diet, they want to do everything they can to have a better spiritual connection.

Pure and light foods are known to improve meditation, contemplation and help us achieve higher states of consciousness.

Better digestion

Eating wholefoods are easier for our digestive system to process and keeps our entire system moving along without an issue.

A digestive system that operates well is essential for overall wellbeing.

Less negative impact

To have less stimulants, chemicals and processed foods has less of a negative impact on our nervous system.

It allows us to have more sensitivity with more subtle aspects of the yogic life when needed.

Benefits of the Yoga Diet

Physical boost

When we are consistently eating fresh, wholefoods it aupports our body to operate at the best it possible can.

many yogi’s say this gives them increased energy and much better immune functioning, they get sick much less.

Mental wellbeing

By avoiding food with chemicals, stimulants and processed sugars it leaves our mind feeling much more in control.

It gives us a more clear mind, the ability to focus and make decisions and an overall feeling of mental wellbeing.

Emotional health

A balanced and mindful approach to our eating supports our emotional health.

Our moods are more stable and our emotional ups and downs are more controlled, when we avoid stimulants and chemicals in our food.

More spiritual awareness

As practitioners cleanse their bodies and minds with light and pure eating, it allows for more connection with our internal wellbeing.

Mindful eating is said to improve our spiritual awareness and give us a sense of inner peace.

Improved digestion and metabolism

When we eat a range of wholefoods that are so good for our body, we have a good amount of fibre and so our metabolism increases.

This also has a direct impact on our digestive system working well and our weight maintenance.

FAQ’s

Can I follow the yogic diet if I’m not a practicing yogi?

Definitely, the yogic diet is a balanced, healthy diet for anyone wanting to improve their physical, mental, emotional or spiritual health. You don’t need to be a yogi to include some of these ideas into your diet.

Do you have to become vegetarian to follow the yogic diet?

While eating a plant-based diet is recommended for the yogic diet, it’s not a strict rule to be followed. The key is fresh, wholesome and mindful eating, so the odd meal including meat or diary is fine.

Can the yogic diet help with weight loss?

Yes, eating a balanced diet made up of plant-based wholefoods can support weight loss. The focus on mindful eating and portion control is very useful when trying to lose weight.

Are there specific foods I have to avoid on the yogic diet?

It’s suggested that you avoid over processed food, very spicy food and anything with stimulants in them. Although your personal preference and dietary requirements also form part of the foods you should avoid.

How can I include the yogic diet into my lifestyle?

Start off by including more fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts and seeds and wholegrains into your diet. Practice mindful eating and also become more aware of how you feel physically and mentally after eating certain foods.

Yoga diet cook books

If you need some help to get you started with the Yoga Diet and what type of meals you can make, here are some recommended cook books:

Living Ayurveda: Nourishing Body and Mind through Seasonal Recipes, Rituals, and Yoga

The Yoga Kitchen: Over 100 Vegetarian Recipes to Energize the Body, Balance the Mind & Make for a Happier You

The Yoga Plate: Bring Your Practice into the Kitchen with 108 Simple & Nourishing Vegan Recipes